HM Treasury

ECOFIN 10 October 2017 and Informal ECOFIN 15-16 September 2017

lord bates: My right honourable friend the Chief Secretary to the Treasury (Elizabeth Truss) has today made the following Written Ministerial Statement.A meeting of the Economic and Financial Affairs Council (ECOFIN) will be held in Luxembourg on 10th October. EU Finance Ministers will discuss the following items: Early Morning SessionThe Eurogroup President will brief Ministers on the outcomes of the 9th October meeting of the Eurogroup, and Ministers will discuss the current economic situation. Ministers will also discuss the European Commission’s use of discretion in assessing Member States’ compliance with the preventive arm of the Stability and Growth Pact (SGP). Current Financial Service Legislative Proposals The Council Presidency will provide an update on current legislative proposals in the field of financial services. Definitive VAT SystemThe Commission will present their proposals for a Definitive VAT system and the creation of a ‘Single EU VAT area’. European Semester 2017 The Council will exchange views on a report evaluating the 2017 European Semester process and reflect on lessons learnt. Preparation of the G20 Meeting of Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors and of the IMF Annual Meetings between 12 and 15 October in WashingtonMinsters will agree the EU’s G20 Terms of Reference and International Monetary and Financial Committee (IMFC) statement, ahead of the Annual Meetings in Washington. Climate Finance for COP23The Council will agree Council conclusions on climate finance in preparation for the COP23 UN Climate Change Conference in November. Digital TaxationThe Commission will present its communication of 21 September on ‘A Fair and Efficient Tax System in the EU for the Digital Single Market’. As well as input from the Presidency, the Commission will also provide a follow-up to the Tallinn Digital Summit that was held on 29th September. Implementation of Financial Services Legislation Ministers will receive an update from the Commission on implementation of existing financial services legislation. An informal meeting of The Economic and Financial Affairs Council was held in Tallinn on 15-16 September 2017. The UK was represented by my right honourable friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer (Philip Hammond). EU Finance Ministers discussed the following items: Working Lunch - Deepening the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) and Maximising the Effectiveness of EU Finances Based on the European Commission reflection papers, Ministers discussed the interlinkages between future development of the economic and monetary union and the framework on EU finances. Working Session IMinisters were joined by Central Bank Governors for the first Working Session. Two items were discussed.a) Deepening of the EMU: Interaction of Rules and Institutions Ministers and Central Bank Governors discussed the implications of the deepening of the Economic and Monetary Union for the EU’s economic and fiscal policy framework.b) Capital Markets Union: Technological Innovation and Financial Regulation (FinTech)Ministers and Central Bank Governors then focussed on the implications of intensified technological innovations to the functioning, development and stability of banking and capital markets. The discussion drew on analysis by Bruegel and included participation from the European Parliament, the European Central Bank, the Commission, and the European Securities and Markets Authority. Working Session IIa) Corporate Taxation Challenges of the Digital EconomyFollowing a presentation by the Estonian Presidency, Ministers discussed how to modernise the corporate income tax rules in a way that would take in to account the new business modes using digital technology. Commissioner Dombrovskis and José Ángel Gurría (Secretary-General of the OECD) also contributed to the discussion to set out their respective positions.b) Cost Efficiency and Sustainability of Customs IT SystemsMinisters discussed the governance reform of the Customs Union, particularly considering customs IT infrastructure that would assure the sustainable and cost efficient electronic systems worthy of a Digital Single Market. This builds on previous discussions regarding the development of an EU Customs IT strategy and looks to proposals for a centrally developed customs IT system to be rolled out across Europe from 2025.


This statement has also been made in the House of Commons: 
HCWS149

Double Taxation Convention between the United Kingdom and Belarus

lord bates: My right honourable friend the the Financial Secretary to the Treasury has today made the following Written Ministerial Statement.A Double Taxation Convention with Belarus was signed on 26 September 2017. The text of the Convention has been deposited in the Libraries of both Houses and has been made available on HM Revenue and Customs’ pages of the Gov.UK website. The text will be scheduled to a draft Order in Council and laid before the House of Commons in due course.


This statement has also been made in the House of Commons: 
HCWS150

Department for Exiting the European Union

General Affairs Council September 2017

baroness anelay of st johns: I represented the UK at the General Affairs Council (GAC) meeting in Brussels on Monday 25 September. This was the first meeting of the GAC under the Estonian Presidency.The main items on the agenda were: Presentation of the Priorities of the Estonian Presidency; Preparation of the European Council on 19-20 October 2017; June European Council follow-up; and Legislative Programming for 2018, Letter of Intent.A provisional report of the meeting and the conclusions adopted can be found on the Council of the European Union’s website at: http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/gac/2017/09/25/ Presentation of the Priorities of the Estonian PresidencyThe Presidency made a brief presentation of its priorities, namely: an open and innovative European economy; a safe and secure Europe; a digital Europe and the free movement of data; and an inclusive and sustainable Europe. Preparation of the European Council on 19-20 October 2017The Presidency presented the draft October European Council agenda, which is due to cover migration, digital Europe, defence and external relations.On the migration agenda item, GAC Ministers discussed external migration and returns, as well as reform of the Common European Asylum System (CEAS).As part of the digital Europe item, delegates focused on implementation of the Digital Single Market (DSM), cyber security and digital taxation.Regarding defence, the Council considered increasing EU autonomy, the admissions criteria for the Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) and EU-NATO cooperation. There were also discussions about the work on the industrial development programme and the Athena mechanism (which handles the financing of common costs relating to EU military operations under the EU's common security) and the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP).Under external relations, Ministers discussed EU-Turkey relations and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK). Some Member States also asked that trade should be added to the agenda, as well as the follow-up to the June European Council.I intervened to highlight the UK’s on-going commitment to European security and reiterated our preference for counter-terrorism and internal security to be discussed at the European Council. I also welcomed the focus on the digital agenda, as well as the need to maintain momentum following the Tallinn Summit on 29 September. Regarding EU-Turkey relations, I emphasised the importance of the accession process as an important tool for cooperation with Turkey. I also agreed that a unified EU position should be sought on the DPRK. Legislative Programming for 2018, Letter of IntentGAC Ministers discussed the Commission’s priorities for the Commission Work Programme (CWP) 2018. Vice President Timmermans asked for a final mandate on the CWP and stressed the need to focus on delivery within the limited time available. I intervened to welcome the inclusion of certain aspects in the CWP, including the Single Market and DSM. I also spoke to advocate for open and free trade. AOBVice President Timmermans updated Ministers on the state of play of its dialogue with Poland on the Rule of Law. I emphasised the importance the UK placed on the Rule of Law and urged both the Commission and Poland to avoid escalation and return to substantive, sustained and constructive dialogue. 


This statement has also been made in the House of Commons: 
HCWS151

Ministry of Defence

Royal Air Force Battle Honours

earl howe: I am today announcing that Her Majesty The Queen has been graciously pleased to approve the award of Battle Honours to squadrons of Her Majesty’s Royal Air Force, for their participation in Operation TELIC during the period 1 May 2003 to 22 May 2011, Operation Deference during the period 22 February 2011 to 27 February 2011 and Operation ELLAMY during the period 19 March 2011 to 31 October 2011. Battle Honours may be “awarded to commemorate any notable battle, action or engagement in which aircrew or Royal Air Force Regiment personnel played a memorable part”. There are two levels of Battle Honour within the Royal Air Force. The first is “mere entitlement, signifying only that a squadron took part in the campaign”. The second (higher) level confers the right to emblazon the Battle Honour on the Standard itself. This ultimate accolade is reserved for those squadrons which are involved in direct confrontation with an enemy, and demonstrate gallantry and spirit under fire. Battle Honours were approved for 27 operational flying squadrons and eight Royal Air Force Regiment squadrons for their participation on Operation TELIC. Five operational flying squadrons and three Royal Air Force Regiment squadrons were awarded the highest honour of Battle Honour with Emblazonment. For their part in Operation DEFERENCE and Operation ELLAMY, Battle Honours were approved for 13 operational flying squadrons with three being awarded the highest honour of Battle Honour with Emblazonment.  With the Right to Emblazon ‘IRAQ 2003- 2011’ on Squadron Standards No 7 Squadron RAFNo XXIV Squadron RAFNo 33 Squadron RAFNo 47 Squadron RAFNo 230 Squadron RAFNo 1 Squadron RAF RegimentNo 26 Squadron RAF RegimentNo 34 Squadron RAF Regiment Without the Right to Emblazon ‘IRAQ 2003- 2011’ on Squadron Standards No II (Army Cooperation) Squadron RAFNo IX (Bomber) Squadron RAFNo 10 Squadron RAFNo 12 (Bomber) Squadron RAFNo XIII Squadron RAFNo 14 Squadron RAFNo 18 Squadron RAFNo 27 Squadron RAFNo XXVIII (Army Cooperation) Squadron RAFNo 30 Squadron RAFNo 31 Squadron RAFNo 32 (The Royal) Squadron RAFNo 39 (Photographic Reconnaissance) Squadron RAFNo 51 Squadron RAFNo LXX Squadron RAFNo 99 Squadron RAFNo 101 Squadron RAFNo 120 Squadron RAFNo 201 Squadron RAFNo 206 Squadron RAFNo 216 Squadron RAFNo 617 Squadron RAFNo II Squadron RAF RegimentNo 3 Squadron RAF RegimentNo 15 Squadron RAF RegimentNo 51 Squadron RAF RegimentNo 63 Squadron RAF Regiment With the Right to Emblazon ‘LIBYA 2011’ on Squadron Standards No II (Army Cooperation) Squadron RAFNo IX (Bomber) Squadron RAFNo 47 Squadron RAF Without the Right to Emblazon ‘LIBYA 2011’ on Squadron Standards No 3 (Fighter) Squadron RAFNo V (Army Cooperation) Squadron RAFNo VIII Squadron RAFNo XI Squadron RAFNo 30 Squadron RAFNo 32 (The Royal) Squadron RAFNo 51 Squadron RAFNo 99 Squadron RAFNo 101 Squadron RAFNo 216 Squadron RAF